Abuja: The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) has engaged Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) on the implementation of the National Policy on Affirmative Procurement (NPAP). The Director-General of BPP, Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, shared this information during the Training for Policymakers and Awareness Raising on Inclusive Public Procurement held in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Dr. Adedokun emphasized that the reform aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s inclusiveness agenda. The policy is focused on supporting women-owned businesses, youth-led enterprises, persons with disabilities, startups, and other historically disadvantaged groups. He clarified that the affirmative procurement is not a new law but rather a full activation of existing preference provisions under the Public Procurement Act 2007. The Act already includes measures for domestic and investment preference, but commitment to implementation has been lacking, which President Tinubu’s strategic leadership aims to address.
The Director-General mentioned that MDAs are required to redesign procurement plans and bidding documents to incorporate affirmative measures. Procurement officers will undergo capacity building to align their internal processes with the new directives. The implementation is set to begin gradually with the 2026 budget cycle, allowing time for phased implementation and learning from challenges to continuously improve. Inclusive procurement is expected to reduce youth restiveness, address insecurity, and expand job opportunities.
Dr. Adedokun also highlighted the importance of transparency mechanisms, including technology adoption and sanctions, in guiding enforcement. He urged stakeholders and civil society to report any abuses to strengthen accountability, reiterating that the engagement is part of nationwide consultations rather than a policy inauguration.
The National Coordinating Officer of the International Trade Centre in Nigeria, Ms. Natasha Akioye, also spoke at the event, reaffirming support for the reform. Akioye indicated that the NPAP was developed with technical assistance under the SheTrades initiative. She noted that inclusive public procurement serves as both a fairness measure and an economic strategy to stimulate competition and innovation. The workshop aims to provide policymakers with practical tools for implementation and monitoring.